Predictors of inhalation burn injury using fire site information

T Kaneko, H Tanaka, S Yamada, M Kitada, T Sakurai, M Harada, F Kimura, T Takahashi, S Kasaoka

Ann Burns Fire Disasters 2017 Dec 31;30(4):275-277

Abstract

Inhalation burn injury (IBI) is a risk factor for mortality in burn patients. However, it is difficult to diagnose IBI using traditional physical examination alone, especially in prehospital settings.

Therefore, facial burn patients are usually treated for suspected IBI. In the present study, we investigated whether fire site information could predict IBI as an alternative to traditional physical examination. This retrospective single-centre analysis involved 27 facial burn patients with suspected IBI who were admitted between 2014 and 2016. The patients were divided into two groups (IBI and non-IBI) according to bronchoscopy findings. Fire site information was compared between the two groups. The IBI (n = 13) and non-IBI (n = 14) groups were compared. Domestic fire was more frequent in the IBI group (69% vs. 29%, P = 0.035). The IBI group included one patient with carboxyhemoglobin ≥10% on admission. Prehospitalization fire site information, particularly domestic fires, might predict IBI in facial burn patients.